The effects of conditioning strawberry plug plants under altered red/far-red light environments

Abstract

The effect of altered red/far-red light environment on subsequent field performance of strawberry plug plants was tested. Two wavelength-selective plastic films were compared to neutral shade and full-sun control for conditioning 'Chandler' strawberry plug plants before transplanting to a winter production system. The following year, plug plants of 'Chandler', 'Sweet Charlie', and 'Allstar' were conditioned under the same treatments, with the addition of a continuous incandescent light and a short-day photoperiod, and plant performance was followed in the winter production system in Florida, a cold-climate annual hill system in Maryland, and in a low-input greenhouse production system. During the first year, the red light-filtering film slightly advanced fruiting in Florida. However, during the second year, the effect of the red light-filtering film was not significant, and a short-day treatment resulted in a greater reduction in runnering and increased early crown and flower development. For June-bearing strawberry plants maintained above 20°C, altering the red/far-red environment did not consistently advance flowering.